Berkshire Family History Society

Formed in 1975, Berkshire Family History Society aims to meet the needs of those researching ancestors across the UK and even overseas, as well as in Berkshire. It has around 2,000 current members worldwide and is the only family history society to cover the entire pre-1974 Royal County of Berkshire.

Berkshire Family History Society is a Registered UK Charity No. 283010. For 2011, its trustees decided not to renew society membership of the Federation of Family History Societies.

Monthly branch meetings and outreach events

Six meetings take place each month in Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury, Reading, Windsor and Woodley (computer branch). Members and visitors enjoy a wide variety of speakers addressing topics likely to interest all researchers. Research advice is always available, and you have the opportunity to meet and talk with other family historians who share your interests. Society volunteers also deliver regular help and advice sessions at venues across the county. You will find more details at www.berksfhs.org.uk

Berkshire Record Office

Situated in Reading, this is where you will find the original records (including parish registers) of the pre-1974 county of Berkshire, including those of the Vale of the White Horse and Abingdon/North Berkshire areas. The society wishes to make clear that its transcriptions of parish records are published online with the prior permissions of parishes and of Berkshire Record Office. You will find more information at www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk

Berkshire Family History Society Research Centre

Next door to Berkshire Record Office, you will discover an unparalleled set of resources for your research. Use the PCs to access online resources, including findmypast.co.uk, and numerous CD/DVDs of data produced by the society and other organisations. Upstairs, the library holds over 7,000 items – just 20 per cent of which are Berkshire related. The rest of the material includes a wide range of items from other English counties, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, North America and the Antipodes. For opening times, see www.berksfhs.org.uk

If you cannot get to the research centre, a number of research services are also available.

The bookshop – for your online, mail-order and personal purchases

As well as holding society publications, the bookshop stocks many other items in electronic and printed formats, including indexes, transcripts, general and specific guides for family historians, maps and a selection of the best local history books for Berkshire and adjoining counties. Browse the full range of over 800 items at www.berksfhs.org.uk/shop

Berkshire Family Historian

The society's award-winning quarterly magazine links members at home and abroad. It is complemented by the members' discussion list and archive, and by the members' area of the website, which holds searchable back copies of the magazine and other data.

Available Records

Explore the Berkshire Family History Society records available on Findmypast*: